Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being. They direct workers who provide these services to the public.
Social and community service managers typically do the following:
Social and community service managers work for a variety of organizations. Some of these organizations focus on working with a particular demographic, such as children, people who are homeless, older adults, or veterans. Others focus on helping people with particular challenges, such as substance abuse, mental health needs, and chronic hunger.
A routine part of social and community service managers’ job is to show that their programs and services are effective. They collect statistics and other information to evaluate the impact their programs have on the community or their target audience. They are usually required to report this information to administrators or funders. They may also use evaluations to identify opportunities to improve their programs, such as providing mentorship and assessments for their staff.
Although the specific job duties of social and community service managers may vary with the size of the organization, most managers recruit, hire, and train new staff members. They also supervise staff, such as social workers, who provide services directly to clients. Additionally, they may perform some of the services of the workers they oversee.
In large agencies, social and community service managers tend to have specialized duties. They may be responsible for running only one program in an organization and reporting to the agency’s upper management. They usually do not design programs but instead supervise and implement programs set up by administrators, elected officials, or other stakeholders.
In small organizations, social and community managers often have many roles. They represent their organization through public speaking engagements or in communitywide committees; oversee programs and execute their implementations; spend time on administrative tasks, such as managing budgets; and help with raising funds and meeting with potential donors.
Social and community service managers held about 173,700 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of social and community service managers were as follows:
| Individual and family services | 26% |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 11 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 11 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 11 |
| Community and vocational rehabilitation services | 10 |
Social and community service managers work for nonprofit organizations, for-profit social service companies, and government agencies. They also work in a variety of settings, including offices, clinics, hospitals, and shelters.
Most social and community service managers work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
Social and community service managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and work experience. However, some positions also require a master’s degree.
Social and community service managers typically need a bachelor's degree in social work or a related public policy and social services field. However, some positions also require a master’s degree.
Workers usually need experience in order to become a social and community service manager, and it is essential for those with a bachelor’s degree. Candidates can get this experience by working as a social worker, substance abuse counselor, or in a similar occupation.
Analytical skills. Social and community service managers need to understand and evaluate data in order to provide strategic guidance to their organization. They must be able to monitor and assess current programs as well as determine new initiatives.
Communication skills. Social and community service managers must be able to speak and write clearly. Public speaking experience is also helpful because these managers often participate in community outreach.
Managerial skills. Social and community service managers spend much of their time administering budgets and responding to a variety of issues.
Problem-solving skills. Social and community service managers must be able to address client, staff, and agency-related issues.
Time-management skills. Social and community service managers must prioritize and handle numerous tasks, often in a short timeframe.
Median annual wages, May 2021
The median annual wage for social and community service managers was $74,000 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,550, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $118,650.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for social and community service managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | $93,420 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 70,960 |
| Individual and family services | 63,260 |
| Community and vocational rehabilitation services | 60,590 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 60,590 |
Most social and community service managers work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Employment of social and community service managers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 18,000 openings for social and community service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Much of the job growth in this occupation is the result of a population increasing its number of older adults. This age group has a greater need for social services, such as adult daycare, creating demand for social and community service managers.
In addition, employment growth is projected as people continue to seek treatment for their addictions and as people with substance abuse disorders are increasingly being directed to treatment programs rather than sent to jail. As a result, managers who direct treatment programs will be needed.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
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Social and community service managers |
11-9151 | 173,700 | 194,100 | 12 | 20,400 | Get data | |
For more information about social and community service managers, visit
The Network for Social Work Management
Council on Social Work Education
National Association of Social Workers
For a career video on social and community service managers, visit
Social and Community Service Managers